It is now January of 2013 and the Mayans were wrong and we are still here. With that being said, I would like to take a look back at the year that was truly amazing for the Tod Family. If you received the wonderfully designed Christmas cards from my Wife, Jennifer of Turquoise Feathers Studio, LLC, you know that 2012 was a big year for us. Just to lay out a couple reasons for why 2012 was such an amazing year for us.
I accepted my first position in ministry as the Community Youth Coordinator at Groesbeck UMC in Cincinnati, OH on Jan. 2nd 2012.
Jennifer & I tied the knot at the Harrison Center for the Arts in Downtown Indianapolis, IN March 10th, 2012.
Jennifer & I moved into our first apartment in March in Downtown Cincinnati, OH.
Jennifer & I graduated from Herron School of Art & Cincinnati Christian University (respectively) on May 12th - May 13th 2012.
I transitioned into the position of Pastor of Student Ministries at Groesbeck UMC in Cincinnati, OH.
We introduced Indie Tod into the world as we adopted our first puppy in August of 2012.
I accepted the position of Student Ministries Pastor at Twin Oaks Christian Church in Woodhaven, MI.
Jennifer & I moved to Southgate, MI in the Down River District of Detroit, MI.
I introduced the rebranding of the Student Ministries at TOCC entitled The Uprising
Jennifer accepted the position of Graphic Designer & Social Media Director at Mousetrap Mobile in Royal Oak, MI.
Jennifer's freelance graphic design business became an official LLC under the name, Turquoise Feathers Studio, LLC in November of 2012.
I preached my first sermon at the main sunday morning service at Twin Oaks CC on Dec. 30th, 2012.
As you can see, this year has been as crazy as they come. We are looking forward to not moving as well as transitioning into new jobs. But we are also excited about the new opportunities that will come to us in 2013. Just a few things we are looking forward to are, Turquoise Feathers becoming a huge company, Missions Trip to Dominican Republic, Moving into our first house. It should yet again be an exciting year in 2013 and I will keep you updated through this blog.
till another day,
normallyINDIE
Indie Thoughts // Normal Mind
Showing posts with label #31012. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #31012. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Thursday, November 29, 2012
2013? We will see...
I know many of you are wondering is there gonna be a 2013, I mean the Mayan Calendar ends on Dec. 21st 2012, yes there is going to be a 2013. With that being established there are a lot of great things to look forward to for 2013. I would to share with you just a couple of those as we look forward to 2013:
Music
1. Ra Ra Riot - Beta Love
2. One Republic - Native
3. Foster the People - TBA
4. The Black Keys - TBA
5. Jimmy Eat World - TBA
Movies
1. Gangster Squad - Jan. 11th
2. The Hunger Games - Catching Fire - Nov. 22nd
3. Man of Steel - June 14th
4. Oz: The Great & Powerful - March 8th
5. The Great Gatsby - May 10th
Books
1. Jesus is _____? - Judah Smith
2. Follow Me - David Platt
3. Who do you think you are? - Mark Driscoll
4. Risk is Right - John Piper
5. What We Talk about When we Talk about God - Rob Bell
These are just a couple of the things that I am looking forward to for 2013, not to mention the fact that I get to celebrate my first year of marriage with my wife, we will celebrate our first year in Michigan as well as my first year work anniversary. It is going to be yet another monumental year in 2013 for the Tod Family and I can't wait to get started.
till another day,
normallyINDIE
Music
1. Ra Ra Riot - Beta Love
2. One Republic - Native
3. Foster the People - TBA
4. The Black Keys - TBA
5. Jimmy Eat World - TBA
Movies
1. Gangster Squad - Jan. 11th
2. The Hunger Games - Catching Fire - Nov. 22nd
3. Man of Steel - June 14th
4. Oz: The Great & Powerful - March 8th
5. The Great Gatsby - May 10th
Books
1. Jesus is _____? - Judah Smith
2. Follow Me - David Platt
3. Who do you think you are? - Mark Driscoll
4. Risk is Right - John Piper
5. What We Talk about When we Talk about God - Rob Bell
These are just a couple of the things that I am looking forward to for 2013, not to mention the fact that I get to celebrate my first year of marriage with my wife, we will celebrate our first year in Michigan as well as my first year work anniversary. It is going to be yet another monumental year in 2013 for the Tod Family and I can't wait to get started.
till another day,
normallyINDIE
Monday, August 6, 2012
Seasons Change...
As the weather starts to change, the leaves start to fall, and you begin to hear the sound of the marching band coming your way, something stirs in your heart. Their is just something about the end of a season and the transition of a new way that always gets to me. It always seems to make me feel sentimental for what happened in the past few months and hopeful for what is to come.
For us here in the midwest United States, it is about time for fall and when I think of fall I think of sweatshirts, college football, a great bowl of chili, beautiful weather, perfection. But as I think of the future perfection to come, I cannot help but look back at the summer that was 2012 and all it had to bring.
As many of you know, this past spring I married the love of my life Jenny Tod in Indianapolis, IN on March 10th, 2012. It was the most magical experience of my life. Such an unexplainable feeling to see something you have dreamed of for so many years finally come true. Not to mention the fact that for the rest of my life I get to spend time with my best friend, sharing in the good, the bad, and the ugly. This being said, this was Jenny and I's first summer together and most of all our first summer in Cincinnati. Man was it hot. Record heat killed us in our downtown apartment because of the lack of Central A/C (something you don't appreciate until it is gone). All in all, we had a wonderful summer together downtown just steps away from Street Pops, all the events in OTR, and not to mention Graeter's Ice Cream on Fountain Square.
This was also my first summer at Groesbeck Church as their Pastor of Student Ministries. It was an exciting event filled summer with trips jam packed into the month of July that I almost felt as though I was not home at all (not a good feeling). I went on my first trip to Ichthus, Minot, ND, and Awaken the City. All of these trips giving me the opportunity to get closer with our church family and really begin to feel at home. This summer also gave me the drive to get work done as we have begun in our process of redesigning the church as a whole from the ground up. It is a really exciting, yet scary process as we begin to rethink what God has in store for Groesbeck Church.
This summer being exciting and fun-filled only gives me the sense of hope for the fall. What is in store just around the corner? I will never know for sure what is going to happen next, but what I do know is that the Lord is leading us in the direction we are supposed to go and I am so excited to follow him humbly and serve him with all of my heart. God sure is doing some amazing things in our lives and I am so excited for him to show himself in miraculous ways once again.
till another day,
normallyINDIE
For us here in the midwest United States, it is about time for fall and when I think of fall I think of sweatshirts, college football, a great bowl of chili, beautiful weather, perfection. But as I think of the future perfection to come, I cannot help but look back at the summer that was 2012 and all it had to bring.
As many of you know, this past spring I married the love of my life Jenny Tod in Indianapolis, IN on March 10th, 2012. It was the most magical experience of my life. Such an unexplainable feeling to see something you have dreamed of for so many years finally come true. Not to mention the fact that for the rest of my life I get to spend time with my best friend, sharing in the good, the bad, and the ugly. This being said, this was Jenny and I's first summer together and most of all our first summer in Cincinnati. Man was it hot. Record heat killed us in our downtown apartment because of the lack of Central A/C (something you don't appreciate until it is gone). All in all, we had a wonderful summer together downtown just steps away from Street Pops, all the events in OTR, and not to mention Graeter's Ice Cream on Fountain Square.
This was also my first summer at Groesbeck Church as their Pastor of Student Ministries. It was an exciting event filled summer with trips jam packed into the month of July that I almost felt as though I was not home at all (not a good feeling). I went on my first trip to Ichthus, Minot, ND, and Awaken the City. All of these trips giving me the opportunity to get closer with our church family and really begin to feel at home. This summer also gave me the drive to get work done as we have begun in our process of redesigning the church as a whole from the ground up. It is a really exciting, yet scary process as we begin to rethink what God has in store for Groesbeck Church.
This summer being exciting and fun-filled only gives me the sense of hope for the fall. What is in store just around the corner? I will never know for sure what is going to happen next, but what I do know is that the Lord is leading us in the direction we are supposed to go and I am so excited to follow him humbly and serve him with all of my heart. God sure is doing some amazing things in our lives and I am so excited for him to show himself in miraculous ways once again.
till another day,
normallyINDIE
Monday, May 21, 2012
Birthday wishes...
This week is a special week in my life. If you guessed it is my birthday... you were wrong, this weekend is the birthday of my beautiful wife Jennifer. It is a special week for us because at the end of it is her first birthday since being married. I have many things planned for this week to show her home special she truly is and how wonderful I have cherished these last couple of years together.
What is so amazing is this is my third birthday with her and each one I have fallen more and more in love with her. It is times like these that makes me look forward to her 82nd birthday and spending a wonderful week together leading up to her big day.
Lastly, I would love to thank God and also Duane Schroeder and Debbie Schroeder for giving birth to my beautiful bride and raising her to be the wonderful woman she is today. Thank You.
till another day,
normallyINDIE
What is so amazing is this is my third birthday with her and each one I have fallen more and more in love with her. It is times like these that makes me look forward to her 82nd birthday and spending a wonderful week together leading up to her big day.
Lastly, I would love to thank God and also Duane Schroeder and Debbie Schroeder for giving birth to my beautiful bride and raising her to be the wonderful woman she is today. Thank You.
till another day,
normallyINDIE
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Book Review - Onward by Howard Schultz ...
Coffee has been a huge part of my life since I was 12 years old. My first interaction with coffee or a coffeeshop was a white chocolate mocha from Starbucks in Bloomington-Normal, IL. At they time my coffee taste buds were not so high and I needed a lot of sugar added to handle the coffee taste. But as I continued to grow up and my palette was toughened, I moved from a white chocolate mocha, to a vanilla latte, to drip coffee with a little bit of sugar, and now finally good old black coffee. My relationship and growth with coffee has grown from merely a small to go cup of coffee to a full on experience. In each city I have lived in over the past 5 years I have a specific coffee shop that has become home (Coffee Hound, Starbuck's, Corner Bloc, Mojo's, Strange Brew, & Coffee Emporium).
Although I have a heart for local coffee shops, there has always been a place in my heart for Starbuck's Coffee Company. I am not really sure why, but there is merely something about my start of my relationship with coffee that links me to Starbuck's. This link has only continued when I got ahold of the story of Starbucks book Onward written by their Founder & CEO Howard Schultz himself.
This book is written in the view of the story of Starbuck's and their journey from Pike Place to the thousands of stores across the world. Howard spend much of the book writting about the importance of leadership and leadership by communication. Reading through his words you can clearly see that coffee was not just grounds and some hot water, but coffee for Howard is a lifestyle, coffee for Howard is an experience.
What I could take away from this is the connection between the Starbuck's business model and the business model of the local church. So much of the time we think of church as being merely a Sunday morning event that we are required to be a part of because scripture says so, but this is not our product, our product is a lifestyle or an experience. The Lord has called us to a build a church that is centered on bringing people into relationship with his son Jesus Christ and in doing so leading them on the path of sanctification. With this responsibility we cannot merely "sell a good cup of coffee", but we have to make people realize that a relationship with Christ is so much more.
Like Howard, I look forwarrd to examining the ministry I am a part of and begin to understand if I am merely adding hot water to coffee grounds or if I am creating a once in a lifetime experience that will change the way people live their lives.
till another day,
normallyINDIE
Monday, April 2, 2012
Alec & Jenny ...
As many of you know, on March 10, 2012 I married the most most wonderful woman in the world at the Harrison Center for the Arts in Indianapolis, IN. The wedding was perfectly designed from the save the dates almost two years ago to the centerpieces on that beautiful day. (check out turquoisefeathers.blogspot.com for updates) I was so honored to be a part of such a special day and most of all to take a role as husband for the rest of our lives. Our wedding day doesn't just mean we are now married, but it also means that we have begun a journey, a journey that sends us into a relationship that will pass through decades and generations and most of all will begin a new family.
Jenny and I's respective families are the Schroeders and Tods, the Schroeders calling Indiana home and the Tods calling Illinois home. The marriage of us two has now instituted a new family and that is the Tod's that are calling Ohio home.
We have finally come to the point that after 2.5 years of long distance that my beautiful bride and I will be beginning our new family here in Cincinnati as the Tod Family.
follow the Tod's at www.alecandjenny.com for updates on our new lives together.
till another day,
normallyINDIE
Jenny and I's respective families are the Schroeders and Tods, the Schroeders calling Indiana home and the Tods calling Illinois home. The marriage of us two has now instituted a new family and that is the Tod's that are calling Ohio home.
We have finally come to the point that after 2.5 years of long distance that my beautiful bride and I will be beginning our new family here in Cincinnati as the Tod Family.
follow the Tod's at www.alecandjenny.com for updates on our new lives together.
till another day,
normallyINDIE
Monday, March 5, 2012
To Your Story...
Last night at CHAOS//Sunday Night Benji and I led the students through an exercise as a part of our Crash Series (series dedicated to shamelessly pursuing the mission of Jesus Christ). We encouraged the students to ask themselves a few questions about their relationship with Jesus and in the midst of this establish their story. This practice is not something revolutionary to the church, but it is a form of evangelism that seems to be effective when it comes to truly loving people in the name of Christ. With this being said, we asked them to think about what their lives were like in these three situations
Before they met Jesus
When they met Jesus
After they met Jesus
Each of these stages of their lives, no matter where they were in their relationship with Jesus, brought to life some important ideas and reflections. But it got me thinking about my story, so I thought I would share it with you.
Before I met Jesus...
I was raised with two parents that felt it would be beneficial for us to go to church. Therefore, my family and I attended Harvest Christian Church in St. Charles, MO. This was the place I was introduced to the idea of church and what it meant to be a regular church member (not necessarily a follower of Christ, for I was still 5 years old when we attended here), but this was the place my mother decided to follow Christ for the first time. It was a long journey for her, but you will have to ask her for her story. Shortly after this my father got a job in Wellington, FL and we were off. Our next stop in this journey of faith was at New Hope Community Church. This is where much of my religious beginning took place. I began to realize what the bible was, who God was, and Jesus' purpose for coming to this earth.
When I met Jesus...
Only a few years later, I attended a Vacation Bible School (super cheesy I know), and during their invitation time with my group, I found myself walking toward the front of the room. I was not sure why, but I merely felt a tug on my heart that being in relationship with Jesus was the purpose of our lives here on Earth. It was like that missing piece that I did not even know was missing was finally in my grasp. Little did I know, my father was attending a Promise Keepers event in Atlanta, GA and during the same week he encountered Christ for the first time. He too chose to follow Christ with his life, giving me the push I needed to follow in his footsteps and be baptized into the faith. There is just something about a father son relationship that brought us together that day and I will never forget it.
After I met Jesus...
Although I was now in relationship with the savior of the world, I was quickly learning that there were a lot of problems in this world and I was going to have to suffer through a lot. Just a few years later we were relocated away from our church home back up north to Illinois. This was especially hard for our family because we truly felt our family was in Florida, but we chose to trust God and he brought us, as a family, to Bloomington-Normal, IL. We then found a church home at Eastview Christian Church and me with OASIS Student Ministries. These years in Junior High and High School are what led me to believe that the Lord was calling me into vocational full-time ministry. Before this was able to happen, I had to endure some suffering. During my 8th Grade & Freshman year of high school, I struggled with severe anxiety and depression. It was a long battle that God led me through, but as he finally did, he set on my heart that I would never allow a student to feel inferior or worthless. But now it was my job to teach students of the hope and power that comes through a relationship with the living God. Through much prayer and conversations with men I trust, I came to the conclusion that I would pursue a degree in youth ministry from Cincinnati Christian University. It was at this point that Jesus truly made me into the man I am today. At college, I was given the opportunity to work with Bloc Ministries in Price Hill and for some reason he gave me a hurt for the intercity students in Cincinnati. Not to mention he allowed me the privilege to marry the most amazing partner in ministry Jennifer Schroeder (#31012). As I continued on my journey the Lord led me to Groesbeck United Methodist Church and CHAOS//SM to do ministry alongside Benji Sayre and the rest of the staff at Groesbeck. TO BE CONTINUED...
As I look back at my story I hope that it will change of the lives of those who read it, not because it is about me, but because it will show people the power of the cross and the redemption that is found in a relationship with Jesus. I pray that as you read this you begin to write your story for the Lord is speaking to you everyday and even today he is adding a line to the poem that is our lives.
till another day,
normallyINDIE
Before they met Jesus
When they met Jesus
After they met Jesus
Each of these stages of their lives, no matter where they were in their relationship with Jesus, brought to life some important ideas and reflections. But it got me thinking about my story, so I thought I would share it with you.
Before I met Jesus...
I was raised with two parents that felt it would be beneficial for us to go to church. Therefore, my family and I attended Harvest Christian Church in St. Charles, MO. This was the place I was introduced to the idea of church and what it meant to be a regular church member (not necessarily a follower of Christ, for I was still 5 years old when we attended here), but this was the place my mother decided to follow Christ for the first time. It was a long journey for her, but you will have to ask her for her story. Shortly after this my father got a job in Wellington, FL and we were off. Our next stop in this journey of faith was at New Hope Community Church. This is where much of my religious beginning took place. I began to realize what the bible was, who God was, and Jesus' purpose for coming to this earth.
When I met Jesus...
Only a few years later, I attended a Vacation Bible School (super cheesy I know), and during their invitation time with my group, I found myself walking toward the front of the room. I was not sure why, but I merely felt a tug on my heart that being in relationship with Jesus was the purpose of our lives here on Earth. It was like that missing piece that I did not even know was missing was finally in my grasp. Little did I know, my father was attending a Promise Keepers event in Atlanta, GA and during the same week he encountered Christ for the first time. He too chose to follow Christ with his life, giving me the push I needed to follow in his footsteps and be baptized into the faith. There is just something about a father son relationship that brought us together that day and I will never forget it.
After I met Jesus...
Although I was now in relationship with the savior of the world, I was quickly learning that there were a lot of problems in this world and I was going to have to suffer through a lot. Just a few years later we were relocated away from our church home back up north to Illinois. This was especially hard for our family because we truly felt our family was in Florida, but we chose to trust God and he brought us, as a family, to Bloomington-Normal, IL. We then found a church home at Eastview Christian Church and me with OASIS Student Ministries. These years in Junior High and High School are what led me to believe that the Lord was calling me into vocational full-time ministry. Before this was able to happen, I had to endure some suffering. During my 8th Grade & Freshman year of high school, I struggled with severe anxiety and depression. It was a long battle that God led me through, but as he finally did, he set on my heart that I would never allow a student to feel inferior or worthless. But now it was my job to teach students of the hope and power that comes through a relationship with the living God. Through much prayer and conversations with men I trust, I came to the conclusion that I would pursue a degree in youth ministry from Cincinnati Christian University. It was at this point that Jesus truly made me into the man I am today. At college, I was given the opportunity to work with Bloc Ministries in Price Hill and for some reason he gave me a hurt for the intercity students in Cincinnati. Not to mention he allowed me the privilege to marry the most amazing partner in ministry Jennifer Schroeder (#31012). As I continued on my journey the Lord led me to Groesbeck United Methodist Church and CHAOS//SM to do ministry alongside Benji Sayre and the rest of the staff at Groesbeck. TO BE CONTINUED...
As I look back at my story I hope that it will change of the lives of those who read it, not because it is about me, but because it will show people the power of the cross and the redemption that is found in a relationship with Jesus. I pray that as you read this you begin to write your story for the Lord is speaking to you everyday and even today he is adding a line to the poem that is our lives.
till another day,
normallyINDIE
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Down to Single Digits...
If you have been following either or our blogs for the last year and a half you know that Jennifer Schroeder of Turquoise Feathers and Alec Tod of normallyINDIE are tying the knot in just 9 days. This marks the end of a very long journey that began way back when in October of 2008 when I first laid eyes of my future bride. It has been a long 3.5 years since that first day we met, but we have made it here and I could not be happier.
Not only is this a journey that is coming to an end, but it is launching a much longer journey that was ordained by God. It is launching into and eternity of love that we will be spending together. An eternity of love that will be modeled after the unconditional love that is found in the arms of Jesus Christ.
But that is all good and swell, but it has not been an easy road to get to where we are today. It has taken growth, a humble spirit, prayer, love, and commitment to get to where we are today. But most of all it has taken sacrifice. Not the easy stuff that most people think of like giving up the remote, food choices, money, or radio stations (although all of those do happen), it has taken the denying of myself for the betterment of my bride. For she is just that, my bride that, like Jesus does for the church, I must sacrifice myself for her betterment. It takes the sacrifice of dreams, future plans, and job choices for the betterment of her. But I know what many of you will say, why would anyone get married when you have to give up everything that you hold dear and I would have this to say to the skeptic. There is nothing like giving up everything for another person, only for them to do the same for you. Just as I have given up my dreams, future, and jobs for the betterment of Jennifer, Jennifer has denied herself only to support me. She has sacrificially trusted the Lord with our relationship even to the point of moving from her home for the past 22 years to start a new home with me here in Cincinnati, OH. She did not do so because there was something in it for her or because she was forced, it did so because she, like me, has chosen everyday to deny herself for me.
That is why people who fall in love, stay with one another for all of eternity. They have realized that they must wake up everyday and deny themselves for the betterment of the love of their lives. For there is nothing better than giving your life to someone and them doing the same.
So as I prepare to read my vows of promise to my future bride, today I vow that I will deny myself for Jennifer only to wake up tomorrow and do it all over again.
till another day,
normallyINDIE
Not only is this a journey that is coming to an end, but it is launching a much longer journey that was ordained by God. It is launching into and eternity of love that we will be spending together. An eternity of love that will be modeled after the unconditional love that is found in the arms of Jesus Christ.
But that is all good and swell, but it has not been an easy road to get to where we are today. It has taken growth, a humble spirit, prayer, love, and commitment to get to where we are today. But most of all it has taken sacrifice. Not the easy stuff that most people think of like giving up the remote, food choices, money, or radio stations (although all of those do happen), it has taken the denying of myself for the betterment of my bride. For she is just that, my bride that, like Jesus does for the church, I must sacrifice myself for her betterment. It takes the sacrifice of dreams, future plans, and job choices for the betterment of her. But I know what many of you will say, why would anyone get married when you have to give up everything that you hold dear and I would have this to say to the skeptic. There is nothing like giving up everything for another person, only for them to do the same for you. Just as I have given up my dreams, future, and jobs for the betterment of Jennifer, Jennifer has denied herself only to support me. She has sacrificially trusted the Lord with our relationship even to the point of moving from her home for the past 22 years to start a new home with me here in Cincinnati, OH. She did not do so because there was something in it for her or because she was forced, it did so because she, like me, has chosen everyday to deny herself for me.
That is why people who fall in love, stay with one another for all of eternity. They have realized that they must wake up everyday and deny themselves for the betterment of the love of their lives. For there is nothing better than giving your life to someone and them doing the same.
So as I prepare to read my vows of promise to my future bride, today I vow that I will deny myself for Jennifer only to wake up tomorrow and do it all over again.
till another day,
normallyINDIE
Monday, February 13, 2012
#3...
On October 16, 2009 I was given the privilege to begin a relationship with the most amazing women in the world. If any of you truly know me, you know that I am speaking of my unforgettably beautiful fiancé (soon to be wife #31012) Jennifer Schroeder of Turquoise Feathers. Not only is she the face of this wonderful company, but she is also the brains behind this very blog you are currently reading. Design being one of the many she is talented at, I have the privilege this year to be spending our 3rd Valentine's Day together (3 of many, many more).
Although we are not spending the actual day together, it still means just as much. We will be celebrating this wonderful day on February 16th (our 28th month anniversary, yes I still count those) by getting matching tattoos that symbolize our soon to come marriage.
But all of that aside I would like to take some time to celebrate our life together so far by posting a couple pictures of some of my favorite memories with my beautiful Valentine.
Although we are not spending the actual day together, it still means just as much. We will be celebrating this wonderful day on February 16th (our 28th month anniversary, yes I still count those) by getting matching tattoos that symbolize our soon to come marriage.
But all of that aside I would like to take some time to celebrate our life together so far by posting a couple pictures of some of my favorite memories with my beautiful Valentine.
 |
| Friend's Wedding in 2010, She was so Beautiful |
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| 2nd Picture we took together, Irela BOTB 2009 |
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| My Favorite Engagement Picture, Christmas 2010 |
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| Brother & Sister in Law's Wedding, 6/5/10 |
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| Summer Engagement Pictures, 2011 |
These are just a couple of my favorite moments in the past two and a half years of life that I have been able to share with the most precious human being in the entire world. It is truly an honor to be associated with her and it will be even more of an honor on 3/10/12 to declare Jennifer Schroeder to be my wife Mrs. Jennifer Tod.
till another VALENTINE'S day,
normallyINDIE
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